If there was one thing Dan had taught him, it was not to be a wimp, but to be a man. So Lucas got the last laugh.

While Nathan, Tim, and the rest of the guys were still laughing about the prank, he pulled out his phone, and texted Peyton.

SOS. Explain later.

Julian was more than surprised to see the Comet pull up alongside him. He stared at the driver warily, wondering if a 5'9, 100 pound cheerleader could be part of Nathan's plan.

He was even more shocked when she reached over to unlock the door.

"Get in."

"How'd you find me?" Julian crossed his arms, still unsure if he could trust her or not,

Peyton laughed, an amused look crossing her face. "You think you're the first guy he's done this to?"

"I can see why you're friends with the guy."

She sighed. Most people only saw Nathan's ruthless, mean side. She saw the guy who came over past his curfew just to check up on her.

She wished that side of him could come out more often.

"Look." Peyton said. "I don't have to defend my friend choices to you, but I'm not about to pass up the chance to see my best friend extremely happy. Plus, I'm getting tired of Nate's bullshit pranks. It gets old."

"So you're helping me just to piss him off?" Hr asked with a laugh. Somehow, he knew he could trust her. And hitching a ride to piss Nathan off?

Even better.

"That." She smiled, reaching out to throw the door open. "And you seem like a decent guy. Besides. I think everybody deserves a shot. If you really want something bad enough no one has the right to stand in your way."

What he wanted: Brooke Davis. Beautiful, smart, funny, amazing Brooke Davis. He had her all wrong, Peyton Sawyer was many things, but a kick ass friend was at the top of that list.

Maybe they were all just a little misunderstood.

Julian slid in beside her. "Peyton?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks."

Peyton smiled again. "Look. I've always believed that we've got one life, one chance and what we do with it is up to us. So c'mon. I'm your only hope of getting that girl. But be warned, if you break her heart, I break your face."

"Duly noted." He laughed. "Umm... Peyton? Nathan has like twenty minutes on us... How are we gonna beat him there?"

"Don't worry." She replied, shooting him a playful wink. "I drive pretty fast. You'll get there in no time."

Maybe she'd been wrong about him all along.

Maybe Julian Baker was just like any other guy she'd ever dated. He didn't want her heart, he just wanted to be able to say that he'd hooked up with the Brooke Davis.

Brooke was so tired of being let down, by guys, by her parents, by everyone. Her group of friends were her one true family.

Ding dong

Nathan! He was finally here!

He'd promised not to say his trademark: I told you so, B. She wouldn't hear it until she felt better.

Until Julian Baker was just another distant memory.

"Brooke!"

Speaking of the devil.

"Julian?" She demanded in a cold tone, swinging the door open. "What the hell are you doing here? Did you forget something?"

"No." Julian blinked. For some reason, he'd thought she'd be happy to see him. "I just couldn't stay away... Is everything okay?"

"Yes." Brooke replied bitterly. "No... I don't know!"

She moved, allowing him to step inside. Her eyes widened when she caught sight of him. Maybe he really did have a good reason for standing him up.

"Well, which is it? Yes, No, or, I don't know?" He asked, raising an eye brow. "Umm... Broke? Why are you staring at me?"

Brooke looked him up and down.

"Damn it, Nathan!" She cursed, disappearing around the corner. She returned moments later, carrying a dry hoodie, sweat pants, and a laundry basket.

Brooke held both of them out to him. "Bathroom's down the hall and to the right. Go get changed, and then we can talk about this."

Julian nodded, offering her a grateful smile before kicking off his shoes and heading off down the hallway.

Peyton was right. She could drive fast.

Brooke dropped down onto the couch again. She was so tempted to call Nathan, bitch him out, and tell him not to come over.

She reached out to pick up her phone.

"Brooke?"

Julian stood in the doorway, looking much more comfortable. He'd taken a quick shower, still grateful for the change of clothes she just happened to have lying around.

"It's Lucas's." She admitted. "I stole them from him. You guys are about the same size... Hope you don't mind."

He shrugged. At that moment, he could have worn her cheerleading uniform, and not given a damn. He was there, with Brooke, and she was no longer angry at him.

Of course, now she was mad at Nathan, but he couldn't have cared less.

"Julian-"

"Brooke-"

Brooke blushed, and he nodded for her to continue. He could listen to her speak forever.

"I'm so sorry..." Brooke began, ducking her head. "Nathan can be such an egotistical ass hole sometimes. God! None of this would have ever happened if I hadn't asked you to tutor me! Nate would have left you alone... This is all my fault!"

"Brooke!"

Julian grabbed her shoulders, bringing his right hand up to gently lift her chin so she'd meet his gaze. He smiled sadly.

"It's not your fault." He promised, suddenly pulling her into a hug. "Look, Nathan is one of your best friends, right? In his own twisted way, I think he is trying to protect you, but this is in no way your fault."

She hesitated, before winding her arms around his torso. It felt right, being wrapped up in his embrace, she felt safe for the first time in a long time.

"Brooke?"

"Hmm?"

"He's not gonna scare me away." He muttered, his grip on her tightening. "Nathan, I mean. He can do whatever he wants, but he's not gonna keep me away from you. You're worth whatever he has planned for me."

Brooke blinked. Never in her life had anyone ever said such sweet things to her. She was so used to boys getting what they wanted, and then breaking her heart. Was it possible...?

Did Julian Baker actually like her?

"So." She said, two hours later. "Can I get you anything else? Another drink or..."

"I'd love to." Julian replied, sounding guilty. "But I should probably get going. Um... This was nice, Brooke."

They hadn't gotten any studying done. Instead, they'd sat side by side, with the TV on low, talking about nothing. It was the best... date? she'd had in a long time. Maybe the nicest date? she had ever had.

"Yeah. It was." Brooke agreed. She was dying to ask him, she needed to know. "Julian, what was this?"

Was it a date? Was it just two people hanging out? They couldn't really call it a study session anymore.

There had been no studying!

"Um..." He blinked, racking his brain for the right thing to say. "We should probably just say this was what it was. 'cause anything else gets complicated."

"Perfect."

Not perfect. It was what it was? What the hell was that supposed to mean? Was she the only one who had feelings for the other person?

Was she the only one who wanted to end the night with a kiss?

"I'll see myself out." Julian said, standing up. "This has to be business, right? I mean, with your friends, this should be business. We can't just... I mean, I kiss you, and then it gets..."

"Definitely." She laughed nervously. "It would be..."

"It would be..."

"Yeah..."

She wasn't sure how it happened, if he'd made the first move, or if she did, but their lips met. She kissed him back with everything she had, bringing her arms up to wrap around his neck.

"B! You left the door unlocked. I thought you weren't gonna..."

They broke apart as Nathan trailed off. He glanced between the two of them before starting towards Julian, his nostrils flaring.

"Nate!"

Brooke moved to stand in between them, her hands on her hips. It was a dumb move, especially since Nathan could grab her arm, and swing her out of the way anytime he wanted to.

Instead, he stopped, and burst out laughing.

"Seriously, B?" He asked, raising an eye brow. "You're actually gonna defend this nerd, over one of your friend? Wow. Did he brainwash you, or something? Are you feeling okay?"

Nathan reached out to brush his fingers across her forehead, but Brooke smacked his hand away. This time, he did look shocked, his jaw hanging slightly.

"Get out."

"Brooke." He protested.

He'd gone out of his way to protect her, and she was actually throwing him out? He was her best friend, if anyone should have been kicked to the curb, it should have been Julian.

"I mean it." She snapped, crossing her arms. "Get the hell out, Nate. I don't really want to see you right now, or talk to you. I need some time to cool off, so just get out."

"Brooke-"

"Go!" Brooke said. "Seriously, Nate! I'll call you tomorrow, but for right now, just leave me alone! I can't even look at you right now!"

Defeated, he turned on his heel and walked out. He could only hope that overtime she could find it in her heart to forgive him. She was his friend, he loved her to death.

He'd just been trying to protect her.